Frequently Asked Questions About ARISS
ARISS BULLETIN
AMATEUR RADIO on the INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Spring 2001
This information is provided by:
The American Radio Relay League
Field & Educational Services
225 Main Street • Newington CT 06111-1494 USA
Telephone (860) 594-0219 Email ARISS@arrl.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
WHAT IS ARISS?
SAREX (Space Amateur Radio Experiment) began in 1983. Now ARISS, (Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station), is becoming a reality. ARISS is a program
that offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur
Radio by talking directly with crewmembers of the ISS (International Space
Station). Teachers, parents and communities will see how Amateur Radio can
energize youngsters about science, technology, and learning. Speaking with
astronauts and other crewmembers is a unique educational experience. NASA would
like to take this opportunity to involve large numbers of individuals,
particularly youth, in technology and the US space program with the help of
Amateur Radio.
WHO SPONSORS ARISS?
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
(AMSAT) and NASA sponsor these exciting experiments. AMSAT volunteers support
technical operations, and mentor school groups. ARRL provides ARISS information.
ARRL and NASA HQ create and distribute ARISS lesson plans and resources for
teachers. The Federal Communications Commission supports ARISS. Hundreds of
Amateur Radio operators, including those from NASA Amateur Radio clubs at
Johnson Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Marshall Space Flight
Center, work behind the scenes to make these educational experiences possible.
HOW CAN I -- A TEACHER -- GET STARTED IN ARISS?
All schools, including the eight ISS partner countries are required to submit an
ARISS application and an "Educational Proposal." Applications are available from
ARRL or on the web at http://www.arrl.org/sarex/ariss-ap.html
Schools from the USA and the eight ISS partner countries are selected for
contacts from these applications. (Currently we have about 50 schools waiting
for a contact.) Scheduled contacts give the schools a 95% chance at a successful
contact. Ten or more students at each school ask the ISS crew questions, and the
nature of these contacts embodies the primary goal of ARISS--to excite student
interest in learning.
The normal wait for a contact is 1 years. Until your school contact has been
scheduled, your classes can participate by eavesdropping, or by trying to make a
random contact with the astronauts. Imagine listening in on the ISS crew from
your classroom. ARISS lesson plans are available from ARRL or you can download
them now from
http://spacelink.nasa.gov/Instructional.Materials/NASA.Educational.Products/Amat
eur.Radio.in.Space/
If you are a schoolteacher, but are unfamiliar with ham radio, you can still
take part in ARISS. Visit http://www.arrl.org/field/club/clubsearch.phtml to
find a list of local Amateur Radio clubs to ask for assistance.
If you are a parent, grandparent and/or a ham radio operator, contact ARRL F&ES
and a local school. F&ES will send materials, including ways to convince
teachers and school administrators that Amateur Radio is an important discipline
the school should take advantage of on a full-time basis. This is a tremendous
opportunity for you to showcase ARISS and Amateur Radio to students of all ages.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A SCHOOL RADIO CONTACT?
When the International Space Station (ISS) is assembled, and the crews'
schedules are normalized, they will begin making school amateur radio contacts
from the ISS.
If your school is interested in ARISS, you must submit both an ARISS application
and an Educational Proposal to The American Radio Relay League, ARISS, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111-1494 (USA).
ARRL collects these for the committee that makes the final selection with input
from the ISS crew. All grade levels and type of schools (rural, suburban and
particularly urban) are encouraged to apply.
ARISS school applications are available at http://www.arrl.org/sarex/ariss-ap.html , or email your request for an electronic version to: ARISS@arrl.org .
An Educational Proposal must accompany all completed applications. Your
Educational Proposal should include answer to these questions:
1) How will you:
a) integrate this activity into the school curriculum and
b) involve as many grade levels as you can, participating through essay
contests, poster drawing, letter writing, etc.?
2) Do you have an experienced group of hams to assist in setting up all
necessary Amateur Radio equipment and antennas?
3) How will you get as much media coverage as possible?
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY SCHOOL IS SELECTED FOR A CONTACT?
Schools that have been selected for ARISS scheduled contacts are contacted by a
school mentor.
NASA requires selections to be made several months in advance. If a school is
not chosen, its application is recycled for future use. Schools typically wait
one year or longer.
I AM A HAM. HOW CAN I INTRODUCE ARISS TO MY CHILD?
Bring a shortwave receiver to school and let students eavesdrop on Amateur Radio
retransmissions. Then set up a 2-meter satellite ground station in class, and
try a satellite contact. The teacher can apply for a future school contact,
almost guaranteeing that students will have an opportunity to communicate with a
crew.
ARE THERE VIDEOS ON AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE?
You and your class will enjoy watching students talk to astronauts via ham
radio. ARRL has a video all about space, with 1.5 hours of programming, at the
cost of (your and our) duplication, shipping (in the US) and handling for
$12.00. Call Kathy, at 860-594-0292, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Eastern), using a
credit card. Or send a check to ARRL F&ES, 225 Main St, Newington CT
06111.
Volume 2 Space Amateur Radio EXperiment includes--
* Ham Radio In Space. An overview of Amateur Radio in space--from satellites to
the space shuttles, and beyond. [30 min]
* SAREX Space Shuttle Mission STS-51F. Astronaut Tony England, W0ORE, recounts
SAREX aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, as the 2nd astronaut in history to
operate ham radio in space. [18 min]
* SAREX Space Shuttle Mission STS-58. Highlights of the volunteer and student
prep, and actual SAREX contact made by Cheatham County Schools, TN. [45 min]
CAN HAMS MAKE UNSCHEDULED ARISS CONTACTS?
Yes. The ISS crew has not lost sight of why it has been so successful. It is the
Amateur Radio community that has brought astronauts voices into schools.
Crewmembers make random contacts with earth-bound hams. They make contacts
during their breaks, pre-sleep time and before and after mealtime. Astronauts
have contacted thousands of hams around the world. Computer software allows the
crew to operate the 2-meter packet gear radio in unattended mode, and hams can
make contacts when the crewmembers are working.
WHAT TYPE RADIO DO I NEED?
A typical ARISS ground station includes a 2-meter FM transceiver and 25-100
watts of output power. A circularly polarized crossed-Yagi antenna capable of
being pointed in both azimuth (N-S-E-W) and elevation (degrees above the
horizon) is desirable. But successful contacts have even been made with
verticals and ground plane antennas. Commercial and public domain software is
available to help track when a shuttle or the ISS will be in range of your
station, and where to point your antenna. For more details on assembling your
station, get the Satellite Handbook from ARRL (see last section).
HOW DO I TALK TO THE ISS CREW?
You may communicate with the crew using voice, packet (computer) radio or
television. It all depends on what equipment the crew has in space. Astronauts
aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1996 made hundreds of random voice contacts
with ham radio operators. When the astronauts were busy with other activities, a
computerized ham station aboard the orbiting shuttle automatically made contact
with thousands more hams.
WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF MAKING A RANDOM CONTACT?
The work schedules of the ISS crew dictate when they are able to operate the
radios. So most of the general contacts they make are random. The selection
committee recognizes the long-standing commitment of the ham radio community in
supporting ARISS, and asks the crew to do as many general ham contacts as
possible during flights.
WHAT ARE ARISS RADIO FREQUENCIES?
The following VHF frequencies are used for some ARISS contacts. These
frequencies were chosen after much deliberation, to minimize problems between
ARISS and other 2-meter users. If you have comments, please direct them to AMSAT
via Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, at his address in the Radio Amateur Callbook or email
ka3hdo@amsat.org or ARRL F&ES. We appreciate the cooperation of all amateurs
making ARISS successful.
Frequencies used for ARISS
Downlink: voice & packet 145.80 (Worldwide)
Voice Uplink: 144.49 (Regions 2&3) 145.20 (Region 1)
Packet Uplink: 145.99 (Worldwide)
Most ARISS operations are split-frequency (each school uses separate receive and
transmit frequencies). Please do not transmit on the shuttle's downlink
frequency. The downlink is your receiving frequency. The uplink is your
transmitting frequency. Earth stations should listen to the downlink frequency
and transmit on the uplink frequency only when the ISS or spacecraft is in range
and crewmembers are on the air.
CAN I USE MY SHORTWAVE RADIO TO EAVESDROP ON THE CREW?
Goddard Amateur Radio Club (MD) will often re-transmit live, NASA air-to-ground
audio over Amateur Radio frequencies from their club station, call sign WA3NAN.
This station, and some VHF and UHF repeater groups, provide this service so
amateurs and students can hear the educational communications. You will hear the
astronauts, Mission Control, and bulletins about ARISS activities. WA3NAN
operates on the high frequency (HF) bands at 3.86, 7.185, 14.295, 21.395, and
28.65 MHz and in the Greenbelt, MD area on VHF at 147.45 MHz (FM).
CAN I RE-TRANSMIT COMMUNICATIONS ON THE HAM FREQUENCIES
FCC rules permit retransmission of air-to-ground communications, provided that
approval has been obtained from NASA. In 1990, ARRL sought NASA's permission, on
behalf of radio amateurs, to retransmit communications. NASA Public Affairs
Office encouraged such retransmissions, indicating that the communications are
public domain. Please follow these guidelines if you plan to rebroadcast NASA
shuttle communications,
1) In keeping with good amateur practice and FCC rules, retransmissions should
be limited to educational missions.
2) Retransmissions should be done manually (with a control operator present).
3) NASA audio contains crew "wake-up music." Amateurs should avoid, if at all
possible, retransmitting music or other prohibited transmissions listed by the
FCC rules (Part 97.113).
HOW CAN I TRACK SPACECRAFT WITH A COMPUTER?
Software is available for tracking spacecraft with a personal computer. Here are
some options (ARRL in no way warrants these products or services):
AMSAT TRACKING PROGRAMS:
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT-NA) has computer programs for
IBM, Macintosh, Apple, Commodore, and other computers. Contact AMSAT-NA at 850
Sligo Avenue, Suite 600, Silver Spring MD 20910, Phone (301) 589-6062, FAX
(301) 608-3410, email martha@amsat.org
AMSAT also has a collection of free software for download:
World Wide Web http://www.amsat.org Anonymous FTP ftp.amsat.org
STSPLUS (Shareware for IBM).
This software, designed by David Ransom Jr., has excellent graphics and maps to
help create a mock Mission Control Center. STSPLUS and other tracking software
is posted on Spacelink, NASA's electronic information system:
Modem line (205) 895-0028 Terminal emulation VT-100, Data format 8-N-1
World Wide Web: http://spacelink.nasa.gov
Satellite tracking software may be found in the following
Spacelink directory:http://spacelink.nasa.gov/Instructional.Materials/Multimedia
World Wide Web sites offer ways to predict spacecraft passes via the Internet.
Check the following WWW site: Terry Jones, W8JE, http://www.datasync.com/~nz8c
WHAT ARE "KEPS?"
Spacecraft-tracking software uses "Keps" or Keplerian elements (also known as
"orbital" or "tracking" elements) to pinpoint the location of a spacecraft. Keps
provide the software with a spacecraft's orbital track, which the computer uses
to calculate its location. Using a tracking program tells an observer when a
spacecraft will appear above his or her horizon.
WHERE CAN I FIND KEPS?
Keplerian elements are available from AMSAT News Service publishes weekly
information bulletins including Keps. These bulletins are distributed
electronically through amateur packet radio networks, landline
networks and the World Wide Web http://www.amsat.org
AMSAT also has email mailing lists to deliver Keps. To subscribe, send a message
with your request to listserv@amsat.org Include your call sign (if any), your
email address, and the names (shown below) of the mailing lists you wish to
receive:
SAREX - mailing list
ANS - AMSAT News Service
AMSAT-BB - AMSAT Bulletin Board
KEPS - "Keps" mailing list
Goddard Amateur Radio Club, WA3NAN, maintains a BBS which carries Keps updated
daily, and SAREX bulletins.
Modem line (301) 286-4137
Internet wa3nan@gsfc.nasa.gov
TCP/IP address 128.183.105.17
Packet radio WA3NAN on 145.090 MHz in the Maryland/DC area.
Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club maintains a service with the latest
element sets available during missions.
Modem line (713) 244-5625
World Wide Web: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/elements/
NASA EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
How do you find information on, payloads, space science and mission lesson
plans? NASA has materials and resources for educators:
Specific mission and payload information can be obtained directly from NASA, via
the shuttle mission Home Page: World Wide Web http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/index-
m.html
NASA Spacelink - One of NASA's electronic resources specifically developed for
use by the educational community. Spacelink is a comprehensive electronic
library that hosts NASA's educational publications, the NASA Television
education schedule, and provides hundreds of subject-related links.
http://spacelink.nasa.gov
Teacher Resource Centers
(TRC) have free-loan publications, slides, audio cassettes, videocassettes,
computer programs and lesson plans. For information, contact the NASA TRC that
serves your region:
AK, AL, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY:
NASA Ames Research Center
Teacher Resource Center
Mail Stop 253-2
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 (415) 604-3574
CA cities near Dryden Research Center:
NASA Teacher Resource Center for Dryden Flight Research Center
45108 N. 3rd. Street East
Lancaster, CA 93535
(805) 948-7347
Inquiries on the solar system and planetary exploration:
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Teacher Resource Center
Mail Stop 601-107
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
(818) 354-6916
CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Teacher Resource Laboratory
Mail Code 130.3
Greenbelt, MD 20771-0001
(301) 286-8570
VA's & MD 's Eastern Shores:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Wallops Flight Facility
Education Complex-Teacher Resource Lab
Bldg. J-17
Wallops Island, VA 23337-5099
(804) 824-2297/2298
http://pao.gsfc.nasa.gov
FL, GA, PR, VI:
NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center
Educators Resources Laboratory
Mail Code ERC
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899-0001
(407) 867-4090
CO, KS, NE, NM, ND, OK, SD, TX:
Space Center Houston
JSC Educator Resource Center
1601 NASA Road One
Houston TX 77058-3696
(713) 483-8696
KY, NC, SC, VA, WV:
Educator's Resource Center
WVU/NASA Fairmont IV & V Facility
100 University Drive
Fairmont, WV 26554
IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI:
NASA Lewis Research Center
Teacher Resource Center
Mail Stop 8-1
21000 Brookpark Road
Cleveland, OH 44135-3191
(216) 433-2017
MS:
NASA Stennis Space Center
Teacher Resource CenterBuilding 1200
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
(601) 688-3338
AL, AR, IA, LA, MO, TN:
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
NASA Educator Resource Center
One Tranquillity Base
Huntsville, AL 35758
NASA Television offers a front-row seat during launches and the latest in space
science, plus educational and historical programs. They sometimes air live
coverage of ARISS/SAREX. NASA-TV is received by satellite dish or may be on
your local cable TV network.
This TV schedule is available via the Internet at
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/nasatv/index.html
Tuning-In NASA TV
Satellite - GE-2
Transponder 9C
85 degrees west longitude
Vertical polarization
Frequency 3880.0 MHz
Audio on 6.8 MHz
For more details, contact:
Kelly Humphries, NASA TV, NASA HQ, Washington D.C. 20546, or send email to:
kelly.o.humphries1@jsc.nasa.gov
HOW DO I GET AN ARISS QSL?
QSL cards are similar to postcards. Hams exchange QSLs to confirm their radio
contacts with other stations. Participating in ARISS is an exhilarating
experience. But waiting for that coveted QSL card requires patience.
Designing a card for the ultimate DXpedition is a lengthy process. Once the
cards are printed, ARRL forwards them to the Amateur Radio club managing the
QSLs.
Send your QSL cards or reports to ARRL. Please include your QSL or report:
date, time in UTC, frequency and mode (voice, packet or sstv). If you wish to
receive a card, you must include a large, self-addressed, stamped envelope with
proper postage or sufficient IRCs included.
These clubs have graciously volunteered to handle QSLs for the following
missions:
STS-74 Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Club, Connecticut
STS-76 Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club, Massachusetts
STS-78 "The Net", Washington
STS-83 and 94 Bergen Amateur Radio Asso., New Jersey
STS-93 Dayton Amateur Radio Association, Ohio
ARRL'S ARISS RESOURCE LIST
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT & INFORMATION is available from the American Radio Relay
League's (ARRL)Field & Educational Services, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111 USA
Phone 860-594-0219 Fax 860-594-0259
World Wide Web: http://www.arrl.org/
ARRL INFORMATION SERVER: ARRL maintains an information email server. To receive
an index of files on the server, send a message to info@arrl.org. Leave the
subject line blank. On the first line of your message, type SEND INDEX. On the
second line, type QUIT. A list of all files on the server will be emailed to
you.
ARISS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB:
ARRL Web site-- http://www.arrl.org/sarex/
AMSAT Web site-- http://www.amsat.org/
NASA's ARISS Web site-- http://ariss.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Goddard Amateur Radio Club
http://garc.gsfc.nasa.gov/www/garc-home-page.html
Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club--http://www.w5rrr.org/
W1AW BULLETINS:
ARRL's Amateur Radio station (call sign W1AW) transmits news bulletins (9:45 PM,
12:45 AM EST) on HF bands at 1.855, 3.99, 7.29, 14.29, 18.16, 21.39, 28.59
MHz and, in the Hartford, CT area, on VHF at 147.555 MHz.
Bulletins are also on packet.
AMSAT NET:
The AMSAT International Satellite Net on Sundays, 14.282 MHz, +/- QRM.
CAN I BECOME A HAM?
Amateur Radio operators, or "hams," are people from all walks of life--no matter
your age, gender or physical ability. Getting started in Amateur Radio has never
been easier! Contact ARRL to request a free New Ham Package. It contains details
on your local Amateur Radio clubs, instructors, exam sites and popular study
guides. Call ARRL's toll-free hotline for new hams: 1-800-32-NEW HAM (800-326-
3942) email: newham@arrl.org Why not get started, today!
ARRL BOOKSHELF
Call ARRL (888-227-5289) for book orders or place your order online at
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/
Now You're Talking! (4rd ed.) contains everything you need to pass your
Technician ham radio written exam.
ARRL Tech Q&A: A "Question and Answer" format for the code-free Technician
exam. Brief explanations of the correct answers reinforce learning.
The Satellite Handbook has the information you need to communicate through, or
receive signals from orbiting satellites and the spacecraft! Whether your
interest is in ham satellites, weather satellites, or other spacecraft, you'll
find everything from setting up ground station equipment to antennas.
Your Packet Companion is perfect for the packet (computer) radio newcomer,
covers everything--from assembling a station to sending mail, from packet
satellites and spacecraft to the latest networking systems. Straightforward
writing style and clear drawings get you on the cutting edge of digital ham
radio.
Page last modified: 01:23 PM, 18 Dec 2001 ET
Page author: ariss@arrl.org
Copyright © 2001, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
